Twenty Volga 2 Ekranoplan wing-in-ground-effect (WIGE) vehicles have been ordered by the Russian city of Syktyvkar, to use as air-taxis on the lakes which surround the city. WIGE development was originally funded by the Soviet navy. The vehicles are being built at the Sokol factory in Nizhne Novgorod, best known for building the MAPO-MiG MiG-31. The order means that the Volga 2 is the first WIGE to enter quantity production in Russia. The vehicle flies at 65-75kt (120-140km/h) and can carry a pilot and up to eight passengers. The first vehicles are due to go into service in the third quarter of this year. Some larger, military, vehicles can fly at 160ft (50m) above the sea surface at speeds of up to 270kt, carrying nuclear missiles.
Source: Flight International